Lighthouse for the Blind needs help to expand

Duwayne Roberts, 60, works on a military cargo net at the San Antonio Lighthouse for the Blind, Tuesday, Nov. 27, 2012. The non-profit makes several items, from pens to cargo nets, for government and non-government contracts. Seventy-five percent of its workforce is legally blind.

Photo By Jerry Lara/San Antonio Express-News

Raul Gamez, 42, assembles pens at the San Antonio Lighthouse for the Blind, Tuesday, Nov. 27, 2012. The non-profit makes several items, from pens to military cargo nets, for government and non-government contracts. Seventy-five percent of its workforce is legally blind.

Photo By Jerry Lara/San Antonio Express-News

A worker sews part of a military shirt at the San Antonio Lighthouse for the Blind, Tuesday, Nov. 27, 2012. The non-profit makes several items, from pens to military cargo nets, for government and non-government contracts. Seventy-five percent of its workforce is legally blind.

More Information

San Antonio Lighthouse for the Blind

2305 Roosevelt Ave., San

Antonio 78210

210-533-5195

salighthouse.org

The agency needs cash donations to help finance construction of a $7.5 million facility to add to its campus, which will expand manufacturing and create educational programs for blind youths under 14.

Since its first workers built brooms from corn husks 80 years ago, San Antonio Lighthouse for the Blind has evolved into a sophisticated facility that produces 30,000 items daily while offering rehabilitation services.

“It's a very good place to work,” Robert Vinton said while assembling pens Tuesday at the plant, which also makes military equipment, insulated blankets, airplane floorboards and more.

Vinton, 66, found friends and a rewarding job at the Lighthouse in 2007 after retiring as a teacher, then losing sight in both eyes.

Its manufacturing employees receive $8 to $15 hourly and generous benefits, earning industry accolades as one of San Antonio's best places to work.

The third-largest of 90 Lighthouse for the Blind facilities nationwide, local institution is one of the area nonprofits featured as part of the San Antonio Express-News' annual Grace of Giving series, which runs through Christmas Day

Josh Sund, blind since birth, said he's making much more than he did doing piecemeal work at his last job.

“I can make enough money to go on trips,” said Sund, 40. “My next trip is to Alaska.”

Opened in 1933 on South Presa Street, the organization moved in 1948 to Roosevelt Avenue, where it occupies four buildings that cover 74,500 square feet. Half of its 500 employees are blind.

“We're the only organization in San Antonio that's focused on providing employment and services to people who are blind,” Lighthouse CEO Mike Gilliam said.

Employees churn out cargo parachutes and Army combat shirts, among other items. Staff engineers and machinists oversee its computerized production facilities, and a design team works to create new product lines.

“We have a very simple mission here: independence and high quality lives for people who are blind,” Lighthouse spokeswoman Nancy Lipton said. “It's not a pity party for anybody. We take pride in our work.”

To accommodate growth, a new $7.5 million, 55,000-square-foot facility is slated to open next summer, half of it for manufacturing space and the rest for educational programs targeting blind kids from birth to age 14, Gilliam said.

Some $3.6 million has been raised so far.

“There's no programs for blind children in that age group in San Antonio now,” he said, noting Lighthouse programs now serve those 14 and older.